Baylee Mullen and Megan Carr are this year's Valedictorian and Salutatorian for Eagle Point High School's 2024 graduating class. Along with a speech that each of them will present at the ceremony on June 6th at 7:30 PM, they shared a few thoughts below from a recent interview.

Baylee aimed to be a straight-A student, but she didn't know she wanted to be a Valedictorian. At the start of her junior year, she saw her name on the student list of academics and realized she had the potential to be a Valedictorian, so she went for it!

Megan is a student who focused on AP classes and preparing herself for a head start with college credits. The Salutatorian achievement came as a surprise!

"I feel proud of myself, but at the same time, I don't know what to feel because this wasn't expected. I know I need to focus on what I'm going to say and those I need to thank for the support. I want to reflect on how I got here and who helped me along the way," Megan said.

Baylee has thought about being a Valedictorian for quite some time, however, she wasn't thinking about her speech and what she is going to say to the entire 2024 class!

"My message is geared towards encouraging others to rewrite their story if they want to. You did this at EPHS, but this is your story, it's not who you are entirely; you now get to go write the next chapter of your life," Baylee said.

Over time, Valedictorian and Salutatorian have changed a bit in how they're viewed among their peers. The accomplishment is no longer idealized by the entire class body. More so, it's viewed as an accomplishment by those in the GPA race.

"There are so many areas of educational accomplishments now with CTE, SkillsUSA, State Competitions, etc. that we feel the Valedictorian and Salutatorian are equal to other student accomplishments," Megan said.

They shared that students are committed to different areas of academics and activities at EPHS. For example, in FFA, there are specific students who stand out and are leaders in their skill set. This is viewed as a major accomplishment as well. Students see how every cohort has its own level of accomplishments, achievements, and leaders.

Megan added, "I think it's important to look at students holistically and see all of their accomplishments. I know GPA is important, but it's not everything."

The humble perspective of these two student leaders concluded with this advice: "Find yourself a support system with people who want you to succeed as well. It's okay to ask for help and lean on people at times."

Article by Dean MacInnis

As part of her accompliment, Jocelyn was aksed to share their perspective on how they approach being a great teammate. What are some key characteristics? and How do you approach your role on the team?

Jocelyn had this to share:

"I approach being a teammate as trying to make everyone better and allow them to grow in their mental game. In a team sport you can’t win when everyone isn’t on the same page, so a common goal creates a good team atmosphere. To truly be a good teammate you need compassion, communication, and an encouraging attitude. I take my role as a leader and encourage my teammates to work hard so accomplishments can be met. Personally my goal was to create a place where we could all rely on each other in a game and never have a doubt. I walked into this season with the plan to make the team better, and also to always support them no matter what."

Shaila Meyer blazing her own trail, set to weld for Pavati Wake Boats in White City after graduation

Shaila Meyer, an Eagle Point High senior who earned the highest-level welding certification in the school's history, never thought welding could become a passion for her.

The 18-year-old, who will graduate with the Class of 2024 Friday night, was homeschooled most of her life because her family often moved. When she began her sophomore year at South Medford High School, she wanted to experience everything she could.

"I went from no social interactions and doing no other activities straight into a big high school,” Meyer reflected last week.

Meyer found her groove after moving to Eagle Point at the start of her junior year, she said.

Trying her hand at a range of activities while earning straight As, she managed to set school district records with her welding torch.

Meyer's welding days began as a way to pass the time.

“My dad welded a little bit when I was younger, but I never thought about it as something I might do ... My mom was like, ‘Hey, why don’t you try a welding class? It might be fun.’”

Meyer said she had done “mostly beginner stuff” at South Medford, crafting a small toolbox and learning a few basic skills.

“After I came to Eagle Point, I really started getting involved more in a lot of things — cross country, track, I tried out band, joined the skeet club, ping-pong club and did some automotives last year,” she said.

She found that, at Eagle Point, there were a lot of kids like her, who wanted to be in the shop, or outside.

"It was more encouraging to have those kinds of people around," she said. "When I got here junior year, the welding really clicked. I just took off with it.”

Agriculture and welding instructor Curtis North said Meyer has made a name for herself, earning more certifications than any prior student at the school. Welding instructors who travel around the country teaching students and adults in the workforce have marveled at Meyer’s abilities, North said.

One instructor from Ohio that the school works with has taught in dozens of countries.

“He came out last year about this time, and he said he’s never seen anything like her," North said.

Of half a dozen regional and state competitions she participated in during her senior year, Meyer took first place in all but one: the SkillsUSA Oregon competition held in Albany in April in which she took second.

“And the guy that beat her when she got the one second place, she beat at another competition," North said.

On the Eagle Point School District 9 website, Meyer was listed in February for being the district’s first student to get a certificate in pulse welding, a solid-state welding process that uses magnetic forces to weld two workpieces together. Last month, she set another record when she earned the 6G, or pipe-welding, certification.

Meyer admitted her competitive nature had a little to do with her achieving the 6G.

“I’m always up for any challenge and I love trying new things, so I decided I was going to do a bunch of really hard certifications. Then my teachers, in a joking way, were like, ‘OK, you’ve gotta go for the 6G now,’” Meyer said.

“I was like, ‘What is that?’ And they said it’s the hardest welding certification you can get.’ So I made it my goal for my senior year.”

Meyer estimates she’s spent over 200 hours welding during her junior and senior years, with some of those hours logged in a shop at Rogue Community College. She plans to spend the summer helping with summer school students who will learn basic welding at Eagle Point High.

After graduation, she plans to start a job at Pavati Wake Boats in White City.

“Pavati makes some of the best speed boats in the world and they ship them all around the world," Meyer said. "It's awesome. It's exciting to get an opportunity to go there after I graduate.”

Long-term, she might start her own business and sign on for more training and schooling, possibly becoming a certified welding inspector.

“Originally, welding was something I just wanted to know how to do. I figured I could pick up little jobs here and there. But after I really started getting good at it, it's like I could make a good career out of it,” she said.

She said she loves arts and crafts — just being creative.

"I love woodworking. I want to maybe, eventually, create my own business and create my own things, like custom gates, furniture, arts … I could just combine my love for welding and woodworking and do my own thing. I have time to figure it out.”

With certifications that some adults never earn, Meyer would excel wherever she chose to go, North said.

“She’s definitely got a leg up on anybody else graduating from high school and some already in the workforce, between the smarts and the hand-eye skills she has — she can just see things that most people can’t as far as metal merging and how it all works.

"It's the old argument: The engineers are always complaining about the welders because they don't know what they're doing in the welder’s realm," North said, nodding at Meyer.

Technical vs. creative: "You don’t usually have someone with both. She’s got both those things, and a work ethic ... Perfect storm right there.”

Reach reporter Buffy Pollock at 458-488-2029 or bpollock@rv-times.com. Follow her on Twitter @orwritergal.

Words from Lake Creek Learning Center:

Shelby Gieselman

Shelby is an amazing student! She is always striving to improve, both herself and her academic scores. Shelby is always prepared for her lessons and approaches each new task with a positive attitude. She is patient and doesn’t talk while the teachers are talking. Shelby is respectful and responsible and always looking for other ways to be helpful around the school.

Emma Northrop

Emma has been working really hard this year to be her best self! She is coming to groups with her supplies and has her work done. Her work has really improved this year in neatness as well as understanding of the concept. Emma is respectful to both students and the staff members of LCLC and works hard to stay safe and be responsible everyday. If she has questions or needs clarification, she is sure to ask a leader.

Craigin Patterson

Craigin’s primary role is as an instructional assistant for the first and second grade classroom. However, her duties, both assigned and voluntary, stretch well beyond that. Craigin helps to oversee the fire and safety drills, secretarial paperwork including medical and absence forms, recess duty, kindergarten assistance, district emergency sub, runs small groups for literacy and math instruction. She has attended multiple trainings to strengthen her job responsibilities. Words cannot describe the amount of gratitude that the staff, students, and community have for Mrs. Patterson.

Kerry Watson

Kerry serves as the instructional assistant for grades three through five. However, her duties stretch beyond helping grade papers.She helps with secretarial duties and paperwork, recess duty, runs small groups for literacy and math instruction. Helps to put in work orders, organizes orders for materials needed for school and projects, and has even gone shopping at Walmart with the principal after hours for flowers and snacks for an upcoming school event. She has attended multiple trainings to strengthen her job responsibilities. We are so grateful for the presence of Kerry - we truly appreciate everything that she does to help our Lake Creek community.

Words from Upper Rogue Center for Educational Opportunities:

Jonathan Burgess

Jonathan is a 7th grader who has always brought a ray of sunshine to any room he has entered. Jonathan is an exemplary student of kindness and respect and takes great pride in his academics. Jonathan continues to push his comfort zone to explore and experience different parts of his journey. With a great attitude, compassion, and kindness, Jonathan brings a smile to those he is around and lifts others up without hesitation. We are all proud to honor Jonathan with this award. We know that he will continue to be a shining example to other students and will be able to excel wherever life takes him.

Trace Coles-Soto

Trace is an 11th grade student at URCEO. He is the son of Luis Soto and Jessica Henderson. Trace is resilient and determined, he has demonstrated academic achievement and perseverance in the face of adversity. Despite encountering significant challenges, Trace is graduating early as a junior, having earned 16 credits this year alone. These are some of the comments his teachers have made about him: “Trace is a good role model for other students” and “He is determined, dedicated, and focused on school, and he’s always been a caring friend.” Congratulations to Trace on receiving this well-deserved accomplishment award!.

Kim Hiddie

Kim is the administrative assistant to the principal and so much more at URCEO. She is the person that the principal relies on to get a multitude of tasks done every day, some under her job description and some not: the principal would not be able to run the school without her expertise and knowledge on the job. Here are some things that people say about her: “Kim never refuses to help when asked. Kim always has a smile and friendly attitude, making the workplace a more pleasant place to be.” “Kim has been a source of encouragement. To name a few of her valuable qualities: she is helpful, reasonable, and dependable.” “Kim does an amazing job, keeping staff and students up to date and on-track. She is always there to help and not afraid of diving into anything.” “I adore Kim because she gives off serious ‘mom vibes’-which is exactly the kind of love and compassion that students and staff at URCEO need.” When I stepped in as principal on March 19, I knew I would be successful with Kim as my assistant. She knew what she was doing and what she didn’t know she learned. Kim is kind, caring, intelligent, a hard worker, honest and someone I truly enjoy working with. Thank you Kim for going above and beyond your job description and finding ways to help teachers and me be more successful in serving our students. We couldn’t run this place without you!

John Trinca

John Trinca is serving as URCEO’s interim principal. He is a dedicated and experienced educational leader who has seamlessly transitioned into his new role. With a proven track record of success, John has leveraged his expertise to ensure a smooth and effective leadership transition. Here are some of the things people say about John: “He’s capable, he stepped up to a difficult task and answered the call.” And, “John is dependable. He follows through on all his promises and I can trust that he has my back.”

How-to-Enroll Instructions are available here in English and Spanish.

Please remember to select the 2024-25 school year when registering in ParentVUE.

For a better experience, register on a computer or tablet rather than a phone.

These Events are offered within the communities of Eagle Point, White City and Shady Cove. EPSD9 does not sponsor these events. We are simply sharing to inform families about events that take place within the District Boundaries.

Monday - June 17, 2024

9 am to 12 Noon

Snacks Provided

Tuesday - June 18, 2024

9 am to 12 Noon

Snacks Provided

Wednesday - June 19, 2024

9 am to 12 Noon

Snacks Provided

Where: Eagle Point High School Wrestling Room

Registration: Pre-registration via mail (260 Hwy 234, Eagle Point, OR 97524) and

Registration and checkin > Monday, June 17 8 a.m. to 8:55 a.m

Please Email> kececile@yahoo.com to inform your intent to attend: List names and shirt sizes

Cost: $25 per wrestler, $20 for each additional family member.

The cost of this camp includes a camp t-shirt, snacks and wrestling instruction. The camp is designed to mix wrestling with fun. Each session will consist of wrestling technique and mat games.

Main coaches will be Jamie Mannenbach (3 time state placer and SOU All-American) and Robby Mannenbach (3 time state placer, SOU wrestler and EPHS Assistant Coach). Other possible coaches will be high school or middle school wrestlers and youth wrestling coaches and other coaches that are available to help.

Proceeds will pay for shirts, snacks and scholarships for middle school and high school wrestlers helping with wrestling instruction.

8:00 - 9:00 pm: Fun Run - 5K Begins at Bob Moore Park, 140 W Main St Celebrate Independence Day with a Fun Run! Get ready to lace up your running shoes and show off your patriotic spirit as we race through the beautiful streets of Eagle Point.

9:00 am - 3:00 pm: Main Street Vendor Fair
Click the event title for EAGLE POINT 4TH OF JULY Booth Registration Information.

11:00 am - 12:00 pm: Independence Day Parade 2024
Click the event title and sign up to participate in the Eagle Point Independence Day Parade! Participation is free.

You don’t want to miss the Fly Over at 11 AM– right down Main Street!

State Flag Procession in the Independence Day
Parade. We have flags for every state of the United States and we are

seeking people to carry the flags in the parade. The flags weigh approximately 15 pounds so flag carriers should be at least 10 years old. Click the event title and sign up here to carry a State Flag in the Independence Day Parade.

6:00 - 10:30 pm: Fireworks at Eagle Stadium
Eagle Stadium will be open for the public to watch the fireworks show. The fireworks will begin at approximately 9:30 pm. Food and games will also be available at Eagle Stadium.

What’s next for our school district? You can get the latest information (and voice your opinions) by adding your name to Superintendent Andy Kovach’s Key Communicator emailing list. It’s easy, just CLICK HERE.